Chapter 62
The pub was packed, with not a free table either inside or on the terrace.
When they’d seen how busy it was, Carla had taken Emily to Nick’s house where they were staying the weekend.
Much as Kitty wanted to spend time with Emily, she was glad to have Nick to herself.
There were things they needed to talk about without an audience.
‘Do you know what Luke’s announcement is?’ Kitty asked him as they joined the scrum of thirsty locals queuing at the bar.
He grinned. ‘I do, but my lips are sealed.’
‘You won’t tell me?’
‘No chance. You’ll have to wait like everyone else.’
Kitty gave him a playful punch on the arm, enjoying the new flirty lightness between them. Things had been difficult for so long, she’d almost forgotten what it was like to enjoy the company of a good-looking man free of any complications.
A tap of metal against glass put an immediate end to the roar of conversation around them. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and people shuffled out of the way as Luke and Alice climbed onto low stools to address the crowd.
‘First off,’ said Alice, ‘I’d like us to raise a glass to everyone who was involved in tonight’s Summer Extravaganza. We can all agree it was an enormous success.’
Shouts of “cheers” and “hear hear” boomed so loudly through the pub that Kitty thought they were powerful enough to bring down the roof.
‘These,’ shouted Alice, producing an enormous bunch of flowers from behind her, ‘are for Margot, to say thank you for all she’s done, not only for the Summer Extravaganza, but for Saffron Bay in general. You’re a star, Margot, and we all appreciate everything you do.’
More cheers filled the air as a tearful Margot walked up to receive her gift.
‘Now,’ said Luke once the noise had died down. ‘We wanted to take this opportunity, when all our friends and family are gathered, to share some news. Two days ago, I asked Alice to become my wife, and I’m delighted to say, she said yes!’
The noise was unlike anything Kitty had experienced. There was whooping, hollering, wolf whistles, tables being thumped by fists, pint glasses pummelled against wood, the air filling with the scent of spilled beer as Saffron Bay celebrated Luke and Alice’s news.
‘We should go and congratulate them,’ Kitty shouted to Nick.
‘Good luck with that,’ said Nick, pointing to the masses scrambling to offer their own congratulations. ‘Come with me.’
Kitty allowed Nick to take her hand and pull her through to the back of the pub. He led her out the door and into the car park. The poor view was more than made up for by the fresh air, away from the noise and sweaty bodies.
‘What you said earlier,’ said Nick, ‘did you mean it?’
‘Which part?’ asked Kitty.
‘The part about Juliet, the part about not wanting to wait any longer.’
Kitty smiled up at Nick, thinking about their first meeting.
She hadn’t liked him, and now? Now, Kitty realised she’d never been as sure about anything as she was about her feelings for Nick.
At the core of their relationship was a rock-solid friendship, and without her noticing, that friendship had blossomed into love such as she’d never experienced before.
‘Well?’ he persisted.
Kitty’s smile widened. ‘I’ve tried so hard to be sensible, but the problem is, Nick Andrews, I think I’m madly in love with you. Not only that, I’d be a fool to let you go, and if the past few months have taught me anything, it’s that I’ve had enough of being a fool.’
Nick beamed. ‘That’s lucky,’ he said. ‘I’m done with being a fool too. Oh, and yeah, I love you too, everything about you, even that frowning look you give me when I’ve done something wrong.’
‘I don’t…’
Before Kitty could finish her sentence, Nick pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a hunger that matched her own.
‘Oi, lovebirds,’ came a shout from the pub doorway.
With great reluctance, they pulled away from each other and turned to see Luke grinning at them.
‘Can’t you see we’re busy, mate?’ called Nick. His attempt to sound cross was destroyed by the smile on his face.
‘You might be busy, but I’ve just got engaged, and my fiancée would like to celebrate with her best friends, and that includes you two.’
‘We’re coming,’ said Kitty, taking Nick’s hand and dragging him towards the pub.
The engagement party was more fun than Kitty could remember having for a long time.
Alice took up position at the piano, with Solly, Jack, Sylvie and Nick all taking turns to sing.
When the landlady Rita brought out her speakers, smoke machine and disco lights, the party really started.
Throughout the evening, Kitty kept stealing glances at Nick, and each time she did, found him staring at her with a mixture of love and longing.
To feel so wanted, so loved, was a novel experience. One Kitty would happily get used to.
By ten, things were quietening down. The locals with young children had returned home, and although Solly and Jack were still going strong on the dance floor, there were plenty of weary bodies slumped around tables, bleary-eyed but with smiles on their faces.
Nick walked up behind Kitty, wrapping his arms around her. She leaned against him, her entire body tingling, and pulled his arms tighter. She felt the entire length of his body as he pressed against her, nudging a curl from her neck with his lips before whispering in her ear.
‘Shall we get out of here? We have unfinished business to attend to.’ His voice was gruff and taut, as though speaking was an effort.
Kitty twisted her head to look at him. ‘Unfinished business?’
Nick held her gaze, his pupils so wide his hazel eyes appeared as dark as coal.
‘Oh.’ Her own eyes widened as understanding dawned. The racket of the pub dimmed, and as her lips brushed his, it was as if they were in their own world, transported to a place where nothing else existed except their love, and their need to be alone.
‘Let’s go to my house,’ said Nick.
‘No.’ Kitty shook her head. His face fell, and Kitty grinned. She gave his hand a gentle tug. ‘Let’s go back to mine. It’s closer, and empty.’
No one noticed as they slipped out of the pub hand in hand, or that they broke into a run as soon as they were out of the door. No one heard their laughter; the sea breeze whipping it away as they ran towards Kitty’s cottage, and a future they were now more certain of.
They were still both works in progress, but would hold each other as they healed.
They weren’t two halves of a whole, but two individuals who believed without question they were stronger together.
As the residents of Saffron Bay celebrated a night of community and love, Kitty and Nick reached the cottage, closed the door on the world, and fell into each other’s arms, ready to begin their new adventure together.
* * *